That, then, means that instead of a four-year run of being able to call themselves world champions<\/a>, the White Ferns have had exactly 600 days with the tag, before this year\u2019s tournament began in England on Saturday (NZT).<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, after this year\u2019s T20 World Cup, the White Ferns will have the inaugural Women\u2019s Champions Trophy in 2027, another T20 World Cup in 2028 and 50-over World Cup in 2029.<\/p>\n But while others might complain of a shorter, two-year run as champions, White Ferns captain Melie Kerr gratefully accepts the chance to play in pinnacle events as regularly as possible, as New Zealand open their campaign on Sunday morning against the West Indies.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an interesting one,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just such a cool opportunity that we get to play in high-pressure tournaments so often.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t really feel that long ago that we won the World Cup in Dubai. The 50-over World Cup comes around every four years, and feels like one you don\u2019t get to play very often. The T20 World Cups do come around quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut for us, you\u2019d never turn down the chance to play in a World Cup.\u201d <\/p>\n This year\u2019s tournament also brings a different kind of pressure for the White Ferns.<\/p>\n Only once before has a New Zealand side gone into a white-ball tournament with the tag of defending champions, when the White Ferns defended their World Cup crown in 2005.<\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n The Black Caps did technically win the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2001, however that tournament was never played again, and instead became the champions trophy.<\/p>\n As defending champions, the White Ferns naturally enter this year\u2019s edition of the T20 World Cup with targets on their backs.<\/p>\n And while they have managed to avoid the pool of death \u2013 featuring Australia, South Africa and India \u2013 squaring off against hosts England, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, Scotland and Ireland is still going to present challenges.<\/p>\n But while the tag of world champions does bring added pressure, it also gives the class of 2026 added belief \u2013 especially after entering their victorious campaign off the back of 10 consecutive defeats, two years earlier.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t felt expectation from outside voices from that tag,\u201d Kerr confessed. \u201cIt has been mentioned a fair bit, defending the title.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, we want to play a positive brand of cricket. We know that when we compete and play our best, we are world champions. If anything, it gives you belief that we can do it again. You think of where we are now as a group, compared to two years ago.<\/p>\n AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis is one of the most talented White Ferns groups I\u2019ve been part of. You think New Zealand sporting teams always punch above their weight and scrap. <\/p>\n \u201cWe might not always have the resources and money that other countries have, but what Kiwis do really well is play for the people next to them.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we fight, scrap and remember who we\u2019re playing for, that\u2019s what gets the best out of us.\u201d <\/p>\nNew Zealand White Fern Suzie Bates lifts the trophy as players celebrate winning the Women’s T20 World Cup.
\nPhoto \/ Photosport<\/p>\n